Robin van Persie keeps Manchester City at bay

Edin Dzeko scored for Manchester City, but United’s Robin van Persie had more to shout about

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini had said he feared missing out on signing the Dutch striker could cost his team the title.

Yesterday Van Persie showed why as he scored twice, to bring his Premier League total to 16 this season, in a comprehensive 4-0 win at Wigan.

He came to us at the peak of his career and his ability to make and take goals is fantastic. He is a completely rounded footballer

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson

The victory kept the gap between the two Manchester teams at seven points as City beat Stoke 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium.

Ferguson said: “We knew we were getting a player who would make a difference to the team. He came to us at the peak of his career and his ability to make and take goals is fantastic. He is a completely rounded footballer.”

City lost their own top gun, Sergio Aguero, with a hamstring problem which is likely to keep him out for two weeks.

“We scored three goals against the best defence in the Premier League,” said Mancini. “We are starting to score now and that is very important.”